U.S. patent application number 10/029852 was filed with the patent office on 2003-07-03 for supination/pronation therapy device.
This patent application is currently assigned to R & R Holdings, LLC. Invention is credited to Hopkins, Ronald B., Sieller, Richard T..
Application Number | 20030125651 10/029852 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21851224 |
Filed Date | 2003-07-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030125651 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hopkins, Ronald B. ; et
al. |
July 3, 2003 |
Supination/pronation therapy device
Abstract
An orthotic device promotes both supination and pronation of a
patient's wrist. A forearm enclosure is adapted to substantially
wrap around a forearm. A forearm support member is adapted to
slidably receive the forearm enclosure wherein the support member
wraps partially around the forearm enclosure. A post is mountable
on the forearm enclosure. An anchor is mounted on the support
member. A tensioning member is connected to the anchor and on the
other end to the post, wherein a rotational force of supination or
pronation will be created on the forearm enclosure depending on the
direction which the tensioning members extend from the anchor to
the post.
Inventors: |
Hopkins, Ronald B.;
(Virginia Beach, VA) ; Sieller, Richard T.;
(Virginia Beach, VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
John H Thomas PC
1561 East Main Street
Richmond
VA
23219
US
|
Assignee: |
R & R Holdings, LLC
Virginia Beach
VA
|
Family ID: |
21851224 |
Appl. No.: |
10/029852 |
Filed: |
December 31, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
602/20 ;
602/5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 5/013 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
602/20 ;
602/5 |
International
Class: |
A61F 005/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An orthotic device for promoting supination and pronation
comprising: a forearm enclosure adapted to substantially wrap
around a forearm; a forearm support member adapted to slidably
receive the forearm enclosure wherein the support member wraps
partially around the forearm enclosure; a post mounted on the
forearm enclosure; an anchor mounted on the support member; and a
tensioning member connected on one end to the anchor and on the
other end to the post, wherein a rotational force of supination or
pronation will be created on the forearm enclosure depending on the
direction which the tensioning member is extended from the anchor
to the post.
2. An orthotic device as described in claim 1, further comprising a
plurality of posts mounted at different locations on the forearm
enclosure.
3. An orthotic device as described in claim 1, wherein the
tensioning member is comprised of an elastic material.
4. An orthotic device as described in claim 1, wherein the
tensioning member is comprised of an inelastic material.
5. An orthotic device as described in claim 1, wherein the
tensioning member has an adjustable length.
6. An orthotic device as described in claim 1, further comprising
an upper arm support member connected on one end to the forearm
support member and adapted to substantially wrap around and support
an upper arm.
7. An orthotic device as described in claim 6, wherein the upper
arm support member is hingedly connected to the forearm support
member.
8. An orthotic device as described in claim 6, wherein the upper
arm support member is fixedly connected to the forearm support
member at a predetermined angle.
9. An orthotic device as described in claim 8, wherein the
predetermined angle is substantially 90.
10. An orthotic device as described in claim 7, wherein the angle
of connection of the upper arm support member and the forearm
support member is variable.
11. An orthotic device for promoting supination and pronation
comprising: a forearm enclosure adapted to substantially wrap
around a forearm; a forearm support member adapted to slidably
receive the forearm enclosure wherein the support member wraps
partially around the cast; tensioning means having a first and a
second end; and means for attaching the tensioning means on the
first end to the forearm enclosure and on the second end to the
forearm support member, wherein a rotational force of supination or
pronation will be created on the forearm enclosure depending on the
direction which the tensioning means is attached to the forearm
support member and the forearm enclosure.
12. A kit for assembling an orthotic device comprising: a forearm
enclosure adapted to substantially wrap around a forearm; a forearm
support member adapted to slidably receive the forearm enclosure,
wherein the support member is adapted to wrap partially around the
forearm enclosure; a post mountable on the forearm enclosure; an
anchor mountable on the support member; and a tensioning member
connectable on one end to the anchor and on the other end to the
post.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to an orthotic device that
promotes supination and pronation of a patient's wrist. A
combination of components of the device allows it to apply either
dynamic or static rotational forces to a joint in need of therapy.
The force generated by the components and their direction can be
quantified and used in therapeutic treatment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] There are many known orthotic devices including those
specifically directed to rehabilitation of various joints such as
elbows and wrists. Typically, these apparatuses are static or have
a single pressure/force that is applied during operation. Those
forces may be uneven across the device.
[0003] Another problem with existing devices is that none promote
rotation or create rotational forces. It is common in wrist or arm
injuries to have some temporary or permanent lose of rotation in
the forearm/wrist, for instance when an arm is immobilized in a
cast for an extended period of time. Whether there is a reduction
in the range of supination or pronation, a patient can lose that
flexibility of rotation. There are few known therapies to treat
this loss of rotation. Typically, any rotational therapy is
effectively limited to a therapist's office or similar
rehabilitation facility.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Accordingly, it an object of the present invention to
overcome the forgoing drawbacks and problems. The present invention
provides a device that creates rotational forces to promote both
supination or pronation of a wrist in need of therapy. The forces
generated by the device are either dynamic or static. Preferably,
the forces can be quantified and used in therapeutic treatment in
accordance with treatment guidelines.
[0005] In one embodiment, an orthotic device for promoting
supination and pronation includes a forearm enclosure adapted to
substantially wrap around a forearm. A forearm support member is
adapted to slidably receive the forearm enclosure wherein the
support member wraps partially around the forearm enclosure. A post
is mounted on the forearm enclosure. An anchor is mounted on the
support member. A tensioning member is connected on one end to the
anchor and on the other end to the post, wherein a rotational force
of supination or pronation will be created on the forearm enclosure
depending on the direction which the tensioning member is extended
from the anchor to the post. The orthotic device may include a
plurality of posts mounted at different locations on the forearm
enclosure. The tensioning member may be comprised of an elastic
material or inelastic material and may have an adjustable length.
The orthotic device may further include an upper arm support member
connected on one end to the forearm support member and adapted to
substantially wrap around and support an upper arm. The upper arm
support member may be hindgedly connected or fixedly connected to
the forearm support member. The fixed connection from a forearm
support member to a upper arm support member may be predetermined,
and the predetermined angle may be substantially 90 degrees. The
angle of connection of the upper arm support member and forearm
support member may be variable.
[0006] In another embodiment, an orthotic device for promoting
supination and pronation includes a forearm enclosure adapted to
substantially wrap around a forearm. A forearm support member is
adapted to slidably receive the forearm enclosure wherein the
support member wraps partially around the forearm enclosure.
Tensioning means have a first end and a second end. The orthotic
device further includes means for attaching the tensioning means on
the first end to the forearm enclosure and on the second end to the
forearm support member. A rotational force of supination or
pronation will be created on the forearm enclosure depending on the
direction which the tensioning means is attached to the forearm
support member and the forearm enclosure.
[0007] In a still further embodiment, a kit for assembling an
orthotic device includes a forearm enclosure adapted to
substantially wrap around a forearm. The kit further includes a
forearm support member adapted to slidably receive the forearm
enclosure wherein the support member is adapted to wrap partially
around the forearm enclosure. A post is mountable on the forearm
enclosure. An anchor is mountable on the support member. And the
kit further includes a tensioning member connectable on one end to
the anchor and on the other end to the post.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an orthotic device in
accordance with the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a partial, exploded perspective view of the
orthotic device shown in FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the forearm enclosure portion
of the orthotic device shown in FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of an orthotic device as
shown in FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 5 is an alternative embodiment of an orthotic device in
accordance with the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a side elevation, partially exploded view of the
forearm enclosure portion of a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0014] FIGS. 7A and 7B are front elevation, cross-sectional views
of a portion of the orthotic device in accordance with the present
invention wherein the tensioning member is shown applying a
rotational force in the counter clockwise direction(FIG. 7A) and
clockwise direction (FIG. 7B).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0015] The present invention is directed to an orthotic device used
to promote the rotation of a patient's wrist and forearm. The
rotation of the wrist in the direction in which the palm is pointed
upwardly or skywardly is called supination. The rotation of the
wrist in which the palm is facing downwardly is referred to as
pronation. The orthotic device described herein can apply either a
dynamic or static force in the rotational direction of supination
or pronation. Further, that rotational force may be varied by a
user or therapist in accordance with the needs of a patient.
[0016] Turning now to the drawings, FIGS. 1,2 and 4 illustrate an
orthotic device in accordance with the present invention in which a
dynamic force of rotation can be applied to a patient's forearm.
(There is reference made throughout of a patient's "wrist" or
"forearm" when referring to the application of therapy herein. The
terms are effectively referenced to interchangeably.) The orthotic
device 10 is a brace adapted to support a patient's upper arm and
forearm. The device 10 is made up of a forearm support member 11
and an upper arm support member 12 that are hingedly connected
about a hinge 20. A forearm enclosure 13 is adapted to receive and
substantially wrap around a patient's forearm. The forearm
enclosure 13 is slidably received within the forearm support member
11.
[0017] The upper arm support member 12 has two straps 17 that
connect the sides of the support member about a patient's arm 14.
The straps 17 are made of strips of hook and loop fasteners (VELCRO
straps) that loop through rings 16 that are connected by screws 15
to the upper arm support member 12. In this way, the particular
size of a patient's arm 14 and the tightness of fit can be
accommodated by varying the length of the strap 17.
[0018] The hinge 20 attaches the lower end of the upper arm support
member 12 to the upper end of the forearm support member 11. The
hinge 20 is locked in the substantially 90.degree. relative
position (forearm support member to upper arm support member) by a
pin 22 releaseably screwed into one of a number of apertures 21. As
can be seen, there are a number of apertures 21 thereby allowing
the device 10 to have a variable angle defined by the forearm
support member 11 and upper arm support member 12. A therapist or
patient can predetermine the specific angle that is desirable for a
given patient. Of course, the device 10 could have a predetermined,
single angle that is nonadjustable. A problem is that many times
patients in need of rotational wrist therapy will have other arm
injuries that limit the flexion and extension of a patient's arm.
Sometimes it is not possible or desirable to have the 90.degree.
angle. From a simple supination/pronation therapy standpoint, it is
preferred to have the angle of the upper arm relative to the
forearm at substantially 90.degree.. In this way, the
supination/pronation rotation will be focused on the bones, tendons
and muscles in the forearm (wrist) rather than in potential
compensating motion of other parts of a patient's arm.
[0019] The forearm support member 11 is adapted to receive a
forearm enclosure 13 that is wrapped around a forearm. The support
member 11 includes a strap 17 that extends from one side of the
support member to the other in order to retain the support member
attached to a patient's forearm. This strap 17 on the forearm
support member 11 is not necessary, but it helps to stabilize the
complete device 11. The forearm support member 11 also has rings 46
and screws 45 fastened on either side of the support member. These
rings 46 and screws 45 are anchors onto which may be attached
straps 40. The straps 40 are part of a tensioning member that
includes elastic band 41 that is attached to those straps by clamps
42.
[0020] The forearm enclosure 13 is adapted to encircle most of a
patient's forearm. The forearm enclosure 13 is preferrably molded
or fitted to create a snug fit on the forearm. A typical forearm
enclosure could be some kind of cast. Other enclosure devices are
possible. It is the forearm enclosure 13 that is rotated by the
present device, so it must fit tightly enough about the forearm
(wrist) to cause the rotation that promotes supination and
pronation. In order to make the forearm enclosure 13 fit more
comfortably and snugly about a wrist, padding 31 is used to line
the inside of the forearm enclosure. The forearm enclosure 13 also
includes holes 36. Mounted in the holes 36 are posts 35. The posts
35 are adapted to protrude a small distance from the forearm
enclosure 13 yet be securely fitted to it. The forearm enclosure 13
is preferably made of a relatively stiff material. For instance,
when a forearm enclosure is a cast, acceptable cast materials
include, preferably, Kydex. This can be the same plastic material
as the material that makes up the forearm support member 11 and the
upper support arm member 12. The forearm enclosure and support
member may be fabricated from virtually any material that meets the
functional requirements described herein. The plastic material is
preferred for its light weight and inexpensive cost. It is
essential that the forearm enclosure 13 be able to slide easily
over the surface of the inside of the forearm support member 11.
This allows for the rotation of the forearm enclosure 13 with
minimal drag.
[0021] In operation, straps 40 are looped through rings 46 that are
in the forearm support member. The straps are then wrapped in a
clockwise or counter clockwise direction around the forearm support
member 11, and the elastic band 41 is looped over one or more of
the posts 35. This creates a dynamic force of rotation in the given
direction. By looping the elastic band 41 over more than one post
35, a greater rotational force is created. Also, as can be seen,
the posts 35 can be moved to other holes 36 to thereby lessen or
increase the amount of rotation and rotational force applied to the
forearm inside the forearm enclosure 13. The rotation of the
forearm enclosure 13 in the clockwise or counter clockwise
direction is best seen in FIGS. 7A and 7B.
[0022] In the figures shown, the anchors that are made up of the
rings 46 and the bolts 45 are positioned on both sides of forearm
support member 11. It is possible to mount any type of anchor in
one place, for instance on the bottom of the forearm support member
11, that allows the straps to be easily wrapped in the clockwise or
counter clockwise direction. The side mounting of the anchors is a
matter of choice to make the bottom of the forearm support member
11 relatively flat.
[0023] Referring now specifically to FIGS. 3 and 6, the forearm
enclosure 13 can be more specifically discussed. The forearm
enclosure 13 is adapted to engage a patient's forearm and wrist.
Strap 30 wraps around the end of the forearm enclosure to secure
the end of the forearm enclosure 13 about a patient's hand and
wrist. Padding 31 can be used to line the forearm enclosure 13. The
padding 31 is connected to the inside of the forearm enclosure 13
by way of patches of hook and loop fasteners 38. The padding 31 is
preferably not permanently glued inside the forearm enclosure 13.
In this way, the screws 37 that are attached to the posts 35 may be
removed and placed in alternative holes 36 or 39 in the forearm
enclosure 13. In lieu of the holes 36 and 39 that are predrilled
into the forearm enclosure 13, slots (that are not shown) may be
used. In this way, the exact position about the perimeter of the
forearm enclosure 13 may be selected for the posts 35. Similarly,
other types of posts or means of receiving a tensioning member may
be used to connect the forearm enclosure to the tensioning member
41.
[0024] FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the
invention in which a static force of rotation is applied to the
forearm enclosure 13. The anchors made up of the bolts 45 and rings
46 are the same anchors as used in connection with the dynamic
embodiment described earlier. The tensioning member or straps 50
have a fixed a length that is made of hook and loop fastener
(VELCO.RTM.) material. The straps 50 are inelastic, and therefore
apply no dynamic force on the cast 13. The straps 50 have apertures
51 that loop over the posts 35. The result is that once a strap 50
is attached at one end to a ring 46 and the other end to a post 35,
a static rotational force is therefore created on the forearm
enclosure 13. These retaining straps 50 may be used alone or
together with the dynamic force of the elastic member 41 described
earlier.
[0025] Many therapeutic scenarios are possible. These include the
use of both static and dynamic straps. For instance, a patient
could use an elastic member to apply a dynamic force of rotation on
a cast for only a part of the day. Other times, the patient could
attach the static strap to the wrist in order to maintain a range
of motion or to prevent a painful range of motion. Alternatively,
both static and dynamic straps could be attached to a post in
opposing directions. This could be used to limit rotation in the
direction of the dynamic force up to a certain amount. In this way,
incremental rotational force is obtained. This also prevents over
rotation as a result of a dynamic force. Finally, a patient could
use two static straps wrapped around the device in opposite
directions in order to set boundaries of rotation of a wrist of a
patient. In other words, the static straps would allow a
predetermined number of degrees of rotation and could prevent
painful or dangerous over rotation by a patient.
[0026] The dynamic force of rotation may be adjustable in many
different ways in accordance with the present invention. First, the
user could change the length of the static straps 40 which are
attached to an elastic cord 41. Second, the length of the elastic
cord 41 can be varied. Third, the number of posts 35 around which
the elastic cord 41 is looped may be varied. Fourth, the elasticity
of the cord 41 may be varied. In some therapy, it may be desirable
to quantify the treatment. In those cases, a gauge may be used on a
post or anchor, or in a strap, to determine the specific amount of
rotational force being applied to the cast.
[0027] As shown, the device is a brace that is wrapped around both
the upper arm and forearm of a patient. This is preferred, because
it keeps the forearm support member stable and does not allow it to
rotate around a forearm. If the device was a forearm support only,
then the support member could rotate around a forearm, thereby
removing any rotational force on the wrist (forearm enclosure) of
the user. It is preferred that there is at least some support above
the elbow that this used to stabilize the forearm support member
and not allow the shoulder to accommodate for a lack of
rotation.
[0028] The device described herein is intended to be simple to use
and available to any patient or therapist. Therefore, it is
envisioned that a kit containing the components described herein
will be available to users or to therapists. Since some of the
components will vary in size depending on a given patient, a
therapist will be able to easily assemble the parts of the kit to
meet individual needs.
[0029] While the invention has been described with reference to
specific embodiments thereof, it will understood that numerous
variations, modifications and additional embodiments are possible,
and accordingly, all such variations, modifications, and
embodiments are to be regarded as being within the spirit and scope
of the invention.
* * * * *